I didn't know where to look or what to do. My hand was shaking at one point and I'm ashamed to say that I spilt some soup on my blouse...I was fascinated by everything they had to say, but I didn’t want to look like I was eavesdropping too much. As Anthony Valentine and Nickolas Grace were discussing the theatre, I'm not sure why I was so worried. They certainly didn’t try to exclude me! Anthony asked me where I was from and we were almost having a conversation before a fan pulled him away for a photo... *g*
I have THE POWER! - Anthony Valentine and another Baron de Belleme armed with Windowleene and the Silver Arrow!
Fortunately, there were some useful distractions, like a performance from Taliesin the bard and the costume parade! There were several brilliant costumes to choose from in the contest. As the contestants marched around in a circle, I realized how hard it would be to pick a winner. I’m not sure how Terry Walsh managed to judge them! However, in the end, he managed to pick a winner. I wish I could remember her name. She was in a wheelchair and had cleverly attached two Barbie horses to the front.
Some contestants in the costume contest
There was also Nickolas Grace’s colourful exit. I had missed his entrance, so I was glad to have such a good seat for his final antics! He called goodbye to everyone and ran out of the room. Then he ran back in and yelled goodbye again. As he really had to be going, I think he only repeated his farewell greetings once more after that... *g*
More contestants in the costume contest
Although I had great entertainment and fabulous company, I still managed to get a headache in the middle of the meal. I’m prone to them and I guess all the excitement (and stress !) didn’t help matters. After I had finished eating, I started to dig in my purse for some Tylenol without looking too obvious about it. As I’m a terrible liar and a worse actress, I don’t think I was very subtle! In fact, I think I was diving down for a third or fourth try when Robert said, "So, how are you, Claire?" You see, Dan and Nickolas Grace had left so I literally had Robert to myself...
I wish I could report that we immediately engaged in a fascinating conversation but, like I said before, I’m a terrible liar. Instead, I blurted out that I was fine and then froze again. For an uncomfortable minute or two I was silent, then I managed to work up the nerve to say something. It wasn't the most brilliant line, but I think I spoke it in a semi-coherent manner: "Have you been enjoying the convention so far?"
Robert's reply was enthusiastic. He told me that he had been having a wonderful time and that he was delighted to see that so many people still enjoyed the show and remembered it so fondly. I was happy that he felt that way and glad that I had mustered up the courage to say something. I know I would have hated myself if I hadn’t, especially since I had flown thousands of miles to see him!
Believe it or not, my headache suddenly began to fade once he started talking to me - HONEST! Of course, it didn't hurt that he put an arm around my shoulders when Anita asked if she could take our photo! Poor Anita had been signalling me to speak to him and she had hurried to the table as soon as she saw that I had finally worked up the courage to speak to Robert. I’m grateful that she did because I didn’t have enough presence of mind to pull out my own camera and ask someone to take a picture of this historic event!
